The Inquisitive Inkpot
Exploring Tales and the Art of Telling
Category: Uncategorized
Choosing the Words for a Children’s Book
Every writer knows that word choice is essential—but this holds especially true when writing a children’s book. Before The Misadventures of Melvin the Missing Sock, I had never written a children’s book. In fact, I don’t even have that many kids in my life… Continue Reading “Choosing the Words for a Children’s Book”
Writing a Children’s Book: What no one told me
When I sat down to write my first-ever children’s book, I was actually a bit scared. Anyone who’s ever tried something completely new knows this anxiety. And anyone who’s ever written something for publication knows the self-conscious dread… What if it doesn’t turn out… Continue Reading “Writing a Children’s Book: What no one told me”
Children’s Stories: the Unexpected (Mis)Adventure
There’s a reason they say to try new things—I never thought I would author a children’s book, yet here we are. How did that happen? Well, let me tell you… Once upon a time, there was a young woman who wrote stories. But not… Continue Reading “Children’s Stories: the Unexpected (Mis)Adventure”
The Subtle Power of Dog stories
Every time I read a book or watch a movie that’s a “dog story,” I am 90% more likely to cry. Can you relate? Maybe it’s that the dog almost invariably dies. Or maybe it’s that the dog reminds me of my dog. Or… Continue Reading “The Subtle Power of Dog stories”
Transported: When Historical Fiction comes off the Page
Bringing a character to life is a challenge of its own, but bringing an entire era to life—that takes another kind of artistry. My most recent experience of historical fiction reminded me once again of why I love the genre: when done right, it… Continue Reading “Transported: When Historical Fiction comes off the Page”
The Female Warrior Returns… well, sort of
According to archaeological findings and DNA tests, female warriors appear to be a historical reality– not just a legend.
The Healing Power of Stories
“Stories are wild creatures. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they may wreak?” Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls If you are at all familiar with Ness’s beautiful tale, however, you will know that the primary aspect of stories it explores is… Continue Reading “The Healing Power of Stories”
A Comedy of Subtitles
Unless you’re used to watching foreign films or you have a hearing impairment, you probably don’t find much use for subtitles. Neither do I—unless, of course, I’m watching a historical drama set in 1800s lower-class England, where everyone has a thick Cockney accent. Then… Continue Reading “A Comedy of Subtitles”
The Power of the Short Story
For all the bite-sized TV dramas, music videos, and social media posts out there, it seems people often overlook the common thread that these share: they are all short stories. And while plenty of psychologists and social scientists argue that our attention span is… Continue Reading “The Power of the Short Story”
The Spectacular Hack that Recently Revolutionized my Writing
You can’t buy talent, but you can buy migraine-free writing. In case you missed my post bemoaning the woes of the contemporary writer, I can bring you up to speed in one sentence: screens hurt my eyes. Not just my eyes, but plenty of… Continue Reading “The Spectacular Hack that Recently Revolutionized my Writing”
